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The AIJCA is one of the largest and most progressive junior breed associations in the country. With more than 800 current members, the AIJCA and affiliate organizations annually sponsor several leadership and show events across the United States. Membership is open to anyone 21 years old and younger and dues are $30 initially with an annual renewal rate of $25. This includes the April and August issues of the monthly breed publication, the Charolais Journal.
Just as the American-International Charolais Association has a National Charolais Show, the AIJCA has a Junior National Show. The junior event is held in June or July of each year and is sponsored by the AIJCA and the host state junior association. Junior members prepare for this event all year-round. Heifer, bull and steer shows showcase the members’ hard work and dedication to their Charolais animals.
The AIJCA also sponsors a national leadership conference that rotates around the country and is held in conjunction with the Junior National Show. Sessions that address personal development, leadership, career opportunities and technology in the beef industry are held. It is a place to also have fun and meet fellow juniors who are interested in the cattle industry and the future of the Charolais breed.
During the leadership conference, public speaking, interview/resume, cook-off, photography, advertising poster, team fitting and quiz bowl contests are held as well as a talent show. In recent years, art and team sales contest have been added. An AIJCA Mentorship program has been formed to build leadership skills with our youth.
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The AIJCA Junior Merit Program is an opportunity for young Charolais breeders to be nationally recognized for continued achievement in leadership and competition activities as well as merchandising Charolais cattle. There are three levels of the Junior Merit Program: Bronze, Silver and Gold. An Elite Gold member is selected by an interview process each year and awarded a $250 scholarship. The application postmark deadline is December 31 each year.
> CLICK HERE FOR MORE APPLICATIONThe AIJCF Scholarship Program is one of the largest in all of the junior breed associations. Various sponsors, including the American-International Junior Charolais Foundation, private donations, trusts and memorials, make these scholarships available to college bound students who are active in the AIJCA. Scholarships are available for all course majors. Over $30,000 in scholarships are awarded annually. The application postmark deadline is April 30 each year.
> CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATIONThe business of the AIJCA is conducted by the Board of Directors consisting of one director per area, four at-large directors, the president, and the immediate past president as ex-officio. AIJCA members are eligible to run for the Junior Board if he/she is 16 – 20 as of January 1 of the Junior National year and have attended at least one Junior National Show & Leadership Conference prior to election. Area Directors shall serve a two-year-term with elections being held annually, alternately between the even- and odd-numbered areas during the Annual Membership Meeting. The election process for each area shall be for a director and a first, second, and third alternate. Four at-large directors serving a one-year term are selected from a pool of first, second, and third alternates.
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